Monday, 6 June 2011

﻿Today, I am having a relaxing time, sorting out some recipe files. I've got lots of Weightwatcher recipes culled from magazines, and I am getting them into order so I can find and use them regularly. Also, I keep a recipe folder in a Word document, so if I find a recipe I like online, I can file it away for future reference. This seems like a good idea, but there are some recipes on there I use repeatedly, and I have to open up the laptop every time I cook them, and sometimes the laptop is in danger of being smeared with eggs and butter! To save my laptop, and my patience, I am gradually copying out my favourites whenever I have a spare few moments, and then adding them to my physical recipe files.

Here is the first one I copied out, a real favourite here at Letters From Home, I think it was originally from Attic 24 I do hope it becomes your favourite too!

LEMON DRIZZLE CAKE

125g butter

175g caster sugar

Grated rind and juice 2 lemons

2 beaten eggs

175g self-raising flour

A little milk

50g granulated sugar

Cream butter, caster sugar and lemon rind until fluffy (You could put it all in food processor and give a good whizz)

Gradually beat in eggs (add to processor and whizz)

Mix in flour and add about 4tbs milk (yes, whizz again in processor) - mixture should be soft enough to drop off spoon when gently shaken

Grease a 1kg/2lb loaf time (I usually line with baking parchment instead of greasing)

Bake in moderate oven gas 4/350F/180C for 45 to 50 mins until risen and golden, firm on top.

Just before cake comes out of oven, prepare lemon syrup: Heat lemon juice and granulated sugar gently until sugar has dissolved (45 secs in microwave and a good stir)

As soon as cake is out of oven, while still in tin, stab it all over top with a skewer and pour over the lemon syrup.

Leave cake in tin until cold (The cake will soak up all the syrup, even if it looks very soggy at the start)

Mix thoroughly and add tears of joy, sorrow and sympathy for others. Fold in 4 cups of prayer and faith to lighten other ingredients and raise the texture to great heights of Christian living. After pouring all this into your daily life, bake well with the heat of human kindness. Serve with a smile.

Wednesday, 1 June 2011

In the style of Lynn at her new blog, I am going to write about three reasons to be cheerful. Number one - remember the salad leaves and carrots I sowed several weeks ago? Amazingly they are all growing well, and we have had two meals from the salad leaves already. When we have sorted out our camera, I'll take pics. Meanwhile I have to make do with 'look alike' pics.

Reason number two is that I am going to become a Granny in September! I have had many happy hours knitting and crocheting for this first, special grandchild.

The blanket I was crocheting is much bigger now and finally finished, ready for the new baby, and I have knitted this lovely little duffle coat with tiny toggles.

My third reason to be cheerful is that lecures are over, and although I have not entirely broken up for the summer, my work schedule is greatly reduced for the next month, then I will have a break.

I feel like Miss Read in Farther Afield, describing the end of term.

"Of all end of terms, the most blissful is the end of the summer term, when six weeks or more stretches ahead, free of timetables, bells, children and their parents. (Or in my case, students!) Six weeks in which to call your soul your own, to enjoy the garden, to think about next year's border plants, and of stocking up the log shed, even, perhaps, a little house decoration and tidying cupboards....."

Ah yes, with my patio allotment to tend, and some pots of flowers here and there, and a lovely grandchild to look forward to in September, it's going to be a lovely summer!

And with more free time available to look forward to, you might even catch me here blogging again, I do hope so!

A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe